Loom harness for drawing in machines



2 SHEETSSHEET Dec. 30, 1952 a. T. LEVEQUE LOOM HARNESS FOR DRAWING IN MACHINES Filed Feb. 19, 1947 4:7 5 52 j INVENTOR MF" M flATToRNEYs 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I NVENTOR ATTO R N 5 B T LEVEQUE LOOM HARNESS FOR DRAWING IN MACHINES Dec. 30, 1952 Filed Feb. 19, 1947 Patented Dec. 30, 1952 LOOM HARNESS FOR DRAWING IN MACHINES Bernard T. Leveque, Wenham, Mass., assigncr to Emmons Loom Harness Company, Lawrence, Mass, a. corporation of Massachusetts Application February 19, 1947, Serial N 0. 729,625

'1 Claims. (o1.1s9 92) This invention relates to harness frames such as are used in looms for weaving.

Ordinarily such loom harness frames have been made of wooden top and bottom members which are often called staves, connected at the ends by end pieces or bars, the whole forming a rectangular frame which is carried by straps and associated with other similar loom harnesses each of which carries a certain number of heddles through each of which heddles extends a warp thread.

Formerly warp threads were drawn through individually by hand but more recently automatic drawing-in machines have been produced which were effective on drawing in the threads where the heddles were made of textile fabric and still more recently metal heddles, usually of steel, have taken the place of the textile heddles for use in such drawing-in machines.

In the usual harness frame, the heddles, Whether of textile material or of steel have bar loops, eyes or some times hooks at each end with a warp thread eye near the center, there being at the top and bottom what are known as heddle bars which pass through such bar loops, eyes or hooks thus holding the heddles in place.

In many harnesses, these heddle bars are supported not only by being passed through the end pieces or bars but also by hooks or hangers which are carried by the adjoining stave member. In drawing-in machines, it is desirable that the heddle bars should sag and bend as little as possible.

It is necessary in the drawing-in machine that the heddles should be free to run on the heddle bars without anything to interrupt them and usually a special type of hanger or hook such as shown in the patent to Colman, No. 1,686,873, is used.

I have found however that by making a com bined stave and heddle bar support of an homogeneous material, preferably one made entirely of a light metal or of other suitable material such as some plastic in the form of an integral strip which may be provided with one or more flanges which extend the entire length of the stave member, or without such flanges, two of these stave members can be connected by end pieces to form a frame, and by providing a web as part of each strip which web extends inward and which may be of a less length than the distance between the end pieces or bars, and by providing, at the inside edge of this web, a suitable flange to form a support for a track, the track being the heddle bar, and, preferably by extending this track somewhat inside and somewhat outside this flange, heddles of the hook type can be carried thereby and will be slidable to an unlimited extent thereon.

As it is often necessary or desirable to remove a certain number of heddles from the heddle bars or to add a certain number, means should be provided whereby the ends of a top and bottom heddle bar can be freed or blocked as by a suitable stop or stops such as the end pieces or members. It is also desirable that the heddle bars should be of a metal such as steel on which theheddles, especially if made of metal, can slide with a minimum of friction and of wear.

I show various ways in which this can be accomplished without separating the assembly of heddle bars and heddles. In some cases, the assembly can be removed entirely, and in other cases the ends of both heddle bars on one side or end can remain in place in the frame. When this assembly is removed from the frame, or in any event, I find it desirable to so form the heddles that they will be held in place on the heddle bars and will not tend to get out of place or come oif when one or both ends are freed from the end pieces or members whereby the heddle bars can slip endwise thus causing the heddles to form acute or obtuse angles therewith instead Fig. 3 is an end view of the portion of the;

frame shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating one method of attaching a heddle bar to my loom harness frame.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a preferred type of heddle for use in the frame shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end elevation of a modified form of my device.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is afragmentary front elevation of one corner of the frame shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on a vertical 1 plane of the stave, heddle bar and hook shown in Fig. 8. j

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation, partly broken away, to show another modification of my device in which bosses are used rather than a flange to support the heddle bar.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a corner of a frame having a web which extends up to a single and piece and having a stave protecting plate.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view on a vertical plane of a modified form of stave and heddle bar.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of the stave and heddle bar shown in Fig. 12 with a modified form of heddle.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 9 of a stave made of plastic or other material than metal.

F represents a heddle frame on which are the heddles L each held at each end by a heddle bar R, the frame being made up of end pieces E, E, and of top and bottom stave members A, A. The top stave member A is shown as formed of a single flat strip of light metal I such as aluminum, magnesium or some alloy thereof with a back or base 2 from which project a top 3 and a middle longitudinal flange 6 each of which extends the full length of the stave member between end pieces E, E, and an inner or bottom web 5 which is an integral part of the strip. The bottom stave member A is identical with the top member A but is inverted relative thereto.

As shown, there is an inner or bottom flange 1 6 which is an integral part of a stave A and of the web 5 and, as shown, extends somewhat less than the length of the stave members whereby there is a free space I at the inside of each end of each stave. This space in the preferred constructions is to receive an arm Ill of the shorter H of the two metal strips H and 12 which form the end pieces E, E. These end piece strips are each formed with a middle part such as I3 or it and two arms H1 or I5 at right angles thereto. Metal strip II is an inside member and I2 is an outside member.

There are holes 2B, 2! in the arms I!) and iii of each end piece strip ll, I2 which register with similar holes 22, 23 through the top and middle flanges 3 and 4 so that the end pieces can be and are fastened to the top and bottom stave members by means of bolts 24 having nuts 25.

In this case, the inner and outer strips I l and 12 forming part of each end piece E may be riveted together by rivets it.

There arealso holes I! through each end piece E, each of such a size that an end of a heddle bar R can pass through it and there is also a spring D which, as shown, is bent and is passed through two holes 32 and 32 so as to hold it in place. Each spring D has long arm 3| which extends along the outside of an end piece E and has a bent tip 33 which passes through a suitable hole 34 in the projecting end 30 of a heddle bar R.

By releasing this tip 33 of a spring arm, a heddle bar R can be moved more or less lengthwise.

As shown, each heddle bar R has a keyhole slot 35 with a large end and a small end, the large end, being of a size so that a headed pin such as P can pass through the large end, the pin having a head 21 and a shank 23 small enough to be slidable in the small end of the slot.

It will be seen that by releasing the springs D from both ends of the two heddle bars the heddle bars R, R, can be moved the length of the slots 36, 36 towards the large ends of each slot then away from web 5 so that heads 21, 21 are clear of slots 35, 36 whereupon each bar R can be slid sideways out of holes ll, I! in each end piece E and both bars can be entirely removed. On the other hand, if desired the springs at only one end can be released, the heddle bars moved in the other direction against the other springs,

then moved away from web 5 to cause heads 21, 21 to clear slots 36, 35. This also allows the ends 30, 30 of bars R, R to be released from holes 11, H. Such released ends can then be moved away from web 5 and away from the unreleased holding springs D, D so that, on the end E of the released springs, such released ends 30, 30 of bars R, R can be made to rest against the front or back of the adjoining end E in a position some times desirable when changing heddles.

Pin or rivet P has a shoulder 29 resting against one side of flange 6 while the end I28 of shank 28 is spread and countersunk in a hole 39 through flange 6 of web 5.

Each heddle bar R, as shown, has a fiat middle part 40, and along its inner and outer rims, it is preferably formed with beads such as 4! and B2. In the same way each heddle L has a web thread eye 43 and a hook member 44 which includes an opening 45 so curved at its outer inside edge as to fit slidably on the outside edge or bead d2, there being also preferably the looking prongs 46, 46, which approach very close to the middle part 45 of the heddle bar.

Some times in handling the assembly of heddle bars R, R, and heddles L when removed from the frame, one bar R slips towards the other and the hook shaped heddles might come oh if it were not for the prongs 45, 46.

With this construction, it will be seen that while the heddles can he slipped on the ends of the heddle bars, they cannot readily com off without being slipped back over the bar ends in the same manner.

H is a hanger hook with a part It which goes down through one hole 8 in flange 3 and then up again through a hole 9 thereby being locked in place so that its hook 17 cannot turn. Each heddle has the usual central warp thread eye 43. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the openings 45, =55 in the respective hooks 4 3, 44 may be in opposite edges, or both of the hook openings may be on the same edge of a heddle, but of course at opposite ends.

In Figs. 6 to 9, is shown an alternative construction in which the springs D and keyhole slots and slot pins P are omitted but wherein the frame F, heddles L, L, and the staves A, A, are substantially the same. This is also true of the end pieces E, E, except that there are through their arms iii and I5 which extend outside and inside a stave such as A, the slots l8 through which screws [9 pass whereby when desired, these screws 19 can be loosened, and the end piece E at one end pulled away so that the ends of the heddle bars R, R, at that end are not blocked by ends E.

In this case however, the heddle bars R, R, cannot be removed but are attached by means of screws il, to the inside flange 6, on a web 5. These screws :57 enter threaded holes. in this flange, as shown, and it is clear that on removing these screws, the heddle bars R, R, as well as the heddles L, can also be removed.

In this case, as in the first described constructic-n, any number of heddles can be removed from the ends of the heddle bars or other heddles can be added thereto, both in a well known manner as by means of a loading strip such as well known in the trade.

The principal novelty of my device is the inside web which is integral with an all metal stave which takes the place of the hooks, hangers or other connections to support each heddle bar, especially in such a way that the heddles can move freely and without obstruction bars.

It is very desirable that the heddle bars should be so attached to the web and that the end pieces and other parts should be so made that the ends of the heddle bars should be blocked ordinarily so that the heddles will not slip off, but means should be provided to free these heddle bar ends, as from the end pieces, so that heddles can be loaded or unloaded therefrom.

Such means are the keyhole slots, pins and end piece springs in the first described embodiment or the slidable end pieces of the second construction.

Some of the modifications and variations which can be made and used are the following.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 9, G is a supporting hook with a threaded shank 50 which passes through the threaded holes and 52 in flanges 3 and 4, 53 being a check nut.

In Fig. and in Fig. 11 is shown a stave 66- with webs 6i and 62, which as shown, are spanned by a protecting plate 63 to keep out dust and flies and with a web 64 which extends right up to an endpiece 65 which consists of a single strip of metal with arms 66 each of which extends over the outer side of a stave 60 and is attached thereto by two screws 68, 68, and slot '61.

As shown, screws 68, 68 pass through a slot 51 in each arm 66 whereby an end piece 65 can be entirely removed or slid out by loosening the screws 68, B8, in a manner similar to what is shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

In Figs. 10 and 11 is shown instead of an inside web flange such as B, a series of projections or bosses 69 against which a heddle bar such as R or such as 12 (Figs. 12 and 13) can rest and by which it can be detachably supported by screws 41.

It is obvious a pin such as P, shown and described in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, associated with a keyhole slot such as 36 might also be used. Regardless of which method of attachment is used, by moving the end pieces 65, all of the heddles such as L, or such as shown at 18 in Fig. 13, can be removed from the heddle bars or the heddle bars with the heddles can be removed as an unit.

In Fig; 12 is shown a stave 10 with what might be a boss or inside web H to which is attached a heddle bar '12 which has neither the top nor the bottom beads and which projects outward only beyond such part I i.

In Fig. 13 is shown a construction similar to that shown in Fig. 12 with a heddle 18 with a hook at each end it which passes over such a heddle bar 12.

Instead of a homogeneous metal alloy of the aluminum, magnesium or other type, whether light or heavy, as there is no very serious bending or breaking force on a harness frame, I can, as shown, in Fig. 14, use a stave 80 made of one of certain kinds of plastics such as those known as the alkyl resins which are thermo-setting and somewhat elastic, or of the vinylidene chloride polymers class such as is commercially known as saran, which is also a thermoplastic resin.

In this case, the body 82 of the stave can be solid with neither an outer nor a middle flange but with a web 84. Hanging hooks G can be screwed into body 82, or, as shown, they can pass entirely through the body part 82.

There is an inside web 84 forming an integral part of the homogeneous stave strip and this may be formed with an inside flange 85, or with projecting members such as 69 as shown in the other constructions, while the heddle bar R caralong such ried by it could be fastened thereto as by screws 41, 41, the end pieces being slidably removable as shown in Figs. 7 and 11. be attached to a member or members which project from web 84 by headed shouldered studs such as shown at P in Fig. 4 so that the heddle bar could be moved lengthwise. If attached by either means, both heddle bars can be removed entirely or only one end of each can be released as hereinbefore described.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, it is desirable that the heddle bars and the hooks on the heddles should be on opposite sides of the inside webs to balance the pull of the harness straps.

Each of my single strips of homogeneous material with an integral inside Web might be made of a thermoplastic material such as of ethyl cellulose or polystyrene or of laminated wood such as plywood.

I claim:

1. A loom harness comprising a rectangular frame formed by end pieces each having heddle bar holes and top and bottom stave members at right angles and attached thereto, each stave member being formed of a single substantially flat homogeneous strip of light metal from which top and middle longitudinal flanges extend the full length of the stave member, an inside web forming an integral part of each strip and including an inside flange of less length than its stave member; two heddle bars each having an end which extends through a heddle bar hole,

projecting beads at its inside and at its outside edge, a plurality of longitudinal attaching slots and being so attached to the insideflange that it project on both sides of it by means of headed pins each of which passes through a heddle bar attaching slot into the inside web flange; and heddles each with a Warp thread eye and with a hook at each end hooked over a heddle bar, each hook being provided with looking prongs to prevent it from being unhooked from a heddle bar; and latch means carried by each end piece to hold an end of each heddle bar in longitudinal position or to release it.

2. A loom harness comprising a rectangular frame formed by end pieces each having heddle bar holes and top and bottom stave members at right angles and attached thereto, each stave member being formed of a single substantially flat homogeneous strip of light metal from which top and middle longitudinal flanges extend the full length of the stave member, an inside web forming an integral part of each strip and including an inside flange; two heddle bars each so attached to an inside flange that it projects inside and outside of said flange and heddles each with a warp thread eye and with a hook at each end hooked over a heddle bar each hook being provided with locking prongs to prevent it from being unhooked from a heddle bar, each end piece being formed of two strips of metal one bent at a right angle to engage a top flange of a stave and slidably and detachably attached thereto and the other bent at a right angle to engage the middle flange of a stave and slidably and detachably attached thereto.

3. A loose harness comprising a rectangular frame formed by end pieces each having heddle bar holes and top and bottom stave members at right angles and attached thereto, each stave member being formed of a single substantially flat homogeneous strip of light metal from which top and middle longitudinal flanges extend the full length of the stave member, an inside web The heddle bars might forming an integral part of each strip and including an inside flange of less length than its stave member; two heddle bars each having proiecting beads at its inside and at its outside edge, and being so attached to the inside flange that it projects inside and outside of said flange; and heddles each with a warp thread eye and with a hook open at the inside at each end, each such hook being hooked over the outside bead of a heddle bar, each hook being provided with looking prongs at its inside opening to prevent the hook from being unhooked from a heddle bar.

4. A loom harness comprising a rectangular frame formed by end pieces and top and bottom stave members at right angles and attached thereto, each stave member being formed of a single substantially fiat homogeneous strip of light metal from which extend an inside web forming an integral part of each strip and including an inside flange; two heddle bars each having a projecting head at its outside edge and being so attached to the inside flange that it projects outside of said flange; and heddles each with a warp thread eye and with a hook open at the inside each end, each such hook being hooked over the outside head of a heddle bar, each hook being provided with locking prongs at its inside opening to prevent the hook from being unhooked from a heddle bar.

5. In a loom harness, the combination of a stave with a web projecting from its back towards the inside of the harness; and heddle bar holding means near the inside of the web projecting towards the fron to hold a heddle bar; with a heddle bar having a projecting bead along its outside edge and being so attached to such heddle bar holding means as to extend therefrom outside of such means to permit heddles to slide freely along the heddle bar; and heddles each made of flat material all in a plane substantially perpendicular to the heddle bar and each heddle being formed with a warp thread eye, a neck extending beyond a shoulder near each end and terminating with a hook open at the inside hooked over the outside edge of said heddle bar, said shoulder extending with a straight outside edge spaced from the free end of the hook at an obtuse angle with the edge of the neck.

6. In a loom harness, the combination of two parallel staves each with a web projecting from its back towards the inside of the harness and heddle bar holding means near the inside of the web projecting towards the front to hold a heddle bar; with a heddle bar having a projecting bead along the outside edge and a projecting bead along its inside edge and being so attached to such heddle bar holding means as to extend therefrom outside of such means to permit heddles to slide freely along the heddle bar; and heddles each made of fiat sheet material all in a plane substantially perpendicular to the heddle bar and each heddle bar formed with a warp thread eye, a neck extending beyond a shoulder near each end and terminating with a hook open at the inside hooked over the outside edge of a heddle bar, said shoulder extending with a straight outside edge spaced from the free end of the hook at an obtuse angle with the edge of the neck.

7. In a loom harness, :the combination of a P stave with a web projecting from its back towards the inside of the harness and heddle bar holding means near the inside of the web projecting towards the front to hold a heddle bar; with a heddle bar so attached to such heddle bar holding means as to extend therefrom outside of such means to permit heddles to slide freely along the heddle bar; and heddles each made of flat sheet material, such metal being all in a plane substantially perpendicular to the heddle bar and each heddle being formed with a warp thread eye, and parallel front and back edges equally spaced from each other except at a shoulder which slopes at an angle outward to a neck, such neck extending outward and terminating in a hook open at the inside, said hook being hooked over the outside edge of said heddle bar and terminating in a free tip spaced from the shoulder.

BERNARD LEVEQUE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 887,102 Lackey May 12, 1908 1,922,922 Andrews Aug. 15, 1933 2,047,511 Kaufmann July 14, 1936 2,216,682 Zurcher Oct. 1, 1940 2,461,496 Kaufmann Feb. 8, 1949 2,461,497 Kaufmann Feb. 8, 1949 2,472,772 Kaufmann June 7, 1949 2,511,822 Kaufmann June 13, 1950 2,529,555 Kaufmann Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 517,071 Great Britain Jan. 19, 1940 846,983 France June 19, 1939 

